Château Saint-Pierre 4ème Grand Cru Classé 2016

Als Quatrième Grand Cru Classé ist das Château Saint-Pierre flächenmäßig das kleinste der Crus Classés in der Appellation Saint-Julien. Das Weingut wurde 1982 von Henri Martin gekauft, der bereits Besitzer des Château Gloria war, und wird heute von seiner Tochter und seinem Schwiegersohn, Françoise und Jean-Louis Triaud, geleitet. Seine sehr alten Rebstöcke – im Durchschnitt 50 Jahre alt – sind zu drei Vierteln mit Cabernet Sauvignon bestockt, der Rest mit Merlot und Cabernet Franc. Das Château Saint-Pierre wird von dem Önologen Eric Boissenot empfohlen. Der Wein von Saint-Pierre ist konzentriert und saftig, aber auch fein und lieblich auf einer strahlenden Frucht und schönen Gewürzen.

Der Château Saint-Pierre 2016 kommt mit einer intensiven und tiefroten Farbe ins Glas. Die Nase zeigt reine und sehr tiefe komplexe Aromen. Erdig (Pilze) und fruchtig, sein reiches Geschmacksspektrum mit Facetten von schwarzen Johannisbeeren, Pflaumen und Feigen wird durch eine feine Eichenholzwürze ergänzt, die aus dem einjährigen Ausbau in zu 50-75% neuen Fässern herrührt. Schon in der Jugend ist er oft charmant, bietet aber auch langlebiges Reifepotenzial.

Coming from 50-year-old vines and a blend of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, the 2016 Château Saint-Pierre (Saint-Julien) is in the same ballpark as the 2015 yet shows a slightly more elegant, classic feel, which is very much in the style of the vintage. Beautiful notes of crème de cassis, black raspberries, crushed rocks, tobacco, and lead pencil shavings as well as some smoky notes with time in the glass all flow to a deep, full-bodied, concentrated Saint-Julien that has fine tannin, flawless balance and integration, no hard edges, and a great finish. This brilliant wine from winemaker Jean-Louis Triaud will benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and keep for 25-30 years. Jeb Dunnuck (02/2019)

Aged for 14 months in 50% new and 50% one-year-old French oak and blended of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc, the deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Saint-Pierre leaps from the glass with exuberant Black Forest cake, blackberry compote and cassis with hints of cigars, earth and violets with a waft of iron ore. Medium-bodied, the palate has a firm frame of grainy tannins with fantastic energy and depth, finishing on a lingering chocolaty note. Lisa Perrotti-Brown (11/2018)

This is fantastic, offering lots of fresh tobacco and blackcurrants and undertones of hazelnuts and chocolate. Full-bodied with firm and chewy tannins, yet ever so polished and refined. One of the most structured St. Pierre’s in years. James Suckling (02/2019)

The 2016 Saint-Pierre has an intriguing bouquet of baked black cherries, dark chocolate, espresso and gamy notes, the oak regime more prominent compared to its peers within this Saint-Julien flight. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, and the oak is more assimilated here than on the nose. Nicely detailed and very poised, although there is a touch of dryness right on the finish. I suspect there will be improvement with bottle age. Neal Martin (08/2020)

The most effortlessly brilliant vintage in St Julien, and Saint Pierre is right up there with the best of examples you can find. Smoky and sculpted, still chewy tannins, firm but confident, liqourice and campfire smoke that displays welcome and generosity - makes you want to pull up a chair next to the embers and grab a friend to share it with. The fruits are brambled hedegrow and crumbled blackberry, with touches of bioche and cream, along with bitter chocolate that adds definition. Mineral tingle to the acidities, and another wash of smoke as it opens. Jane Anson (02/2022)